Chapter 2 _{9 Whose land lieth in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes: even so also will I do unto them that hear me not, saith the Almighty Lord.10 Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would have given unto Israel.11 Their glory also will I take unto me, and give these the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for them.12 They shall have the tree of life for an ointment of sweet savour; they shall neither labour, nor be weary.13 Go, and ye shall receive: pray for few days unto you, that they may be shortened: the kingdom is already prepared for you: watch.14 Take heaven and earth to witness; for I have broken the evil in pieces, and created the good: for I live, saith the Lord.15 Mother, embrace thy children, and bring them up with gladness, make their feet as fast as a pillar: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.16 And those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of the graves: for I have known my name in Israel.17 Fear not, thou mother of the children: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.18 For thy help will I send my servants Esau and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for thee twelve trees laden with divers fruits,19 And as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies, whereby I will fill thy children with joy.20 Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,21 Heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the sight of my clearness.22 Keep the old and young within thy walls.23 Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection.24 Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy quietness still come.25 Nourish thy children, O thou good nurse; stablish their feet.26 As for the servants whom I have given thee, there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number.27 Be not weary: for when the day of trouble and heaviness cometh, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance.28 The heathen shall envy thee, but they shall be able to do nothing against thee, saith the Lord.29 My hands shall cover thee, so that thy children shall not see hell.30 Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I will deliver thee, saith the Lord.31 Remember thy children that sleep, for I shall bring them out of the sides of the earth, and shew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty.}